Ad:Tech 2010 and Bloggin’ for money

April 22nd, 2010 → 10:00 am @


Some girls go to the city to shop, I take a drive to SF to learn how to make that money! A couple of days ago I attended Ad:tech, a convention/meetup of different companies, affiliate networks, and internet marketers who are looking to create new relationships and solidify old. While I only dabble in affiliate marketing myself, it was great to go and see my husband’s world and understand it a little better. Here are some pictures of my mini adventure:

Outfit pictures first of course. My trench has been getting a lot of action lately!

With my hubster. I'm wearing a thrifted watercolor dress (love), gifted black tights, and my Urban Outfitters lace up, wedged heel boots.

We had lunch at WichCraft, a sandwich restaurant in SF.

Affbuzz (a website where you can read all the top affiliate marketing blogs) "hosted" the lunch.

Just a section of Ad:tech

This one is for Sara, it was like being at Disneyland ;) Clickbooth mascot.

Now I want to give you a couple of basic tips for making money on your blog. Working with Jony and hearing some of people’s horror stories, there are a few things I’d recommend for starting out in monetizing your blog.

1. Unless you are willing to put a lot of time or money into it, don’t expect to make much money affiliate marketing. I’m not saying this to “rain on your parade,” but making your way in this industry is not easy. It is time consuming, and more times than not you have to spend money before you can make it. I know quite a few people who tell me they want to do it on the side, or consider it a get rich quick plan, but those are the people who end up getting burned.

2. Start off slow. By that I mean don’t go pouring your life savings into advertising. Sign up with Amazon’s affiliate program or Google’s Affiliate Network, find products you personally love, and make blog reviews using your personal tracking link they give you. Just make sure to disclose on your blog that you are using affiliate links. This might not make you much, but it’s a good way to get your toe in the water.

3. Don’t be dissuaded by big shots. Something I noticed at Ad:tech was the way corporations  (those who had products to sell, not the affiliate networks) treated young, affiliate marketers. My husband is pretty well known in the industry, but whenever we would go up to a booth to check out their products, more times than not we were snubbed or barely given the time of day. In large part it was due to our age. What some companies are not realizing is that the rising stars of internet advertising are not generally huge advertising firms, but young, talented men and women who love the internet. You could compare it to how bloggers are treated at fashion shows in comparison to well-established editors. My husband likes to say the loudest one in the room gets the attention. All of this to say, don’t be discouraged if people don’t treat you with a whole lot of respect (at first). Be persistent, be attention grabbing, and be respectful.

Just a couple of quick, basic tips that I hope encourages and gives you a little guidance in making money on your blog through affiliate marketing. If you are creative, there are so many ways that you can monetize your blog, and make it work for you!

Did this post help you at all? How do you monetize your blog? What would you say is the main purpose of you having a blog? And how do you like my amazing thrifted dress?! Let me know!

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